Academy make Saintsational start to League campaign

17 December 2012 09:22

By Duncan Wood

Saturday saw Gloucester Academy take on Northampton Saints in the first ever U18 Academies League fixture played out in wet conditions at Hartpury College.

Gloucester faced a Northampton Saints team boasting 10 players recently named in the U17 and U18 England Squads, some of whom having already gained significant experience in the Northampton senior A Aviva Premiership A League team.

The game became a contest of the two packs early on, with Northampton driving effectively straight from the kick off sending Gloucester retreating back into their own half at a rate of knots.

It wasn't long before the Gloucester pack, coached by the senior squads Peter Buxton began to take some ascendancy with some big carrying from Will Goodrick-Clark, Ryan Charles and Tom Lushington.

This put scrum half Reece Boughton on the front foot ,allowing him to use the boot to gain some good field position for the Cherry and Whites.

Early dominance in the lineout soon took its toll on the Saints, and the Gloucester pack secured possession and marched their way to the try line, where Goodrick-Clark touched down to give Gloucester their first points of the game. The conversion was missed but the score was 5-0 to the home side.

The physical intensity of the half continued as both teams fought for control of the breakdown, with Gloucester's back row combination of Lewis Ludlow, Sam Underhill and Tom Lushington contributing heavily to Gloucester's workload in and around the tackle area.

It was, however, a breakdown offence that saw Northampton pick up the only other points of the first half, when fly half Sam Oliver took advantage of a side entry call from match referee Phil Watters, taking the half time score to Gloucester 5, Northampton 3.

Northampton started the second half the brighter of the two sides and, despite Gloucester having the wind at their backs, they found themselves under a sustained period of pressure which saw their defensive systems stretched to their limits.

Northampton scored through an individual effort from winger Alex Wootton who broke blind from a lineout drive, and managed to retrieve his own chip ahead to go over in the corner, and with the conversion missed, this took the score to 5-8.

Northampton then continued to throw the kitchen sink at Gloucester, and created several opportunities which were only prevented through intense work rate and committed tackling from the entire squad.

Things were not about to get any easier for Gloucester. As the pressure told they were reduced to 13 men when second row Jonny Hill, and back row Will Safe were sent to the bin for 2 further infringements at the breakdown inside their own half.

At this point, many expected Northampton to finish the job but, to Gloucester's credit they dug deep, and when tested out wide wingers, Jack Lawthom and Ollie Thorley came up trumps with some superb cover tackling.

Once back to 15 players, Gloucester regained the dominance in the scrum and lineout that they showed throughout the first half with Jonny Hill playing a leading role in both.

With this they managed to wrestle back momentum, and replacement scrum half Ollie Young added spice to the Gloucester attack.

A short spell just outside the Northampton 22 saw Gloucester pile the pressure on, producing quick ball which in turn cause Saints to infringe at the breakdown.

With 10 minutes on the clock Gloucester kicked to the corner, and once again set up a drive from the lineout, and with the sort of momentum that would have sent the Shed into hysteria, drove the Saints pack over their own try line to score what was to prove the winning try.

The score was locked at 10-8, and Gloucester had a chance to extend their lead with the last play, when second row Simon Linsell sprinted down the touchline only for play to be halted a metre from the try line.

Coach Buxton was happy with the performance, although admits there is still work to be done ahead of the team's trip to face Leeds Carnegie at Huddersfield YMCA this coming Saturday.

To view a selection of photos from the game, start the slideshow above.

If anyone would like to purchase any photographs featured on the club website, they can visit his website by clicking HERE.

Ed Slater took part in his first training session with his new team-mates on Tuesday morning, and told GRTV afterwards that a few familiar faces will help him settle in quickly ahead of an exciting season.

GRTV caught up with Gloucester Rugby's new signing Jason Woodward during his first week of preseason at the club. The new face spoke of his delight to be at the club, and in familiar surroundings of Hartpury College

Stephen Thomas, a regular at Gloucester Rugby's Walking Rugby sessions is in line for a top prize after being nominated for Premiership Rugby's BREAKTHRU Achiever of the Year award. He admitted to GRTV to being shocked and humbled by the news.

After a long build-up, Gloucester's Ross Moriarty made his first appearance in a British & Irish Lions shirt on Saturday. Speaking after the game, he admitted that it was good to finally get into action.

Lewis Ludlow, who has enjoyed a fine personal season, admitted to massive disappointment after the loss to Stade Francais but looked to draw positives before thanking the Gloucester fans for their support.

Friday evening will see Matt Scott return to Murrayfield, a venue he is very familiar with. Speaking ahead of the final, he admitted that he's incredibly excited about the European Rugby Challenge Cup Final against Stade Francais.